Channel Power Mixer
With a mixer insert jack as a Direct Out
When connecting a mixer to a Digital Audio Interface or multi-Track Recorder, which you usually connect the Direct Out jack of each mixer channel to a track input of the interface. For example, say, your Kick Drum Microphone is connected to one of the mixer channel. If the recording Kick drum on one track would you have to make a connection channel 1 direct out to the track one-entrance of the interface. You would then connect the two channel direct output to the 2 track input of the interface, etc. With the direct-outs in a way takes every channel signal post-fader and post EQ and sends them directly to the recording device. This enables the recording, an instrument (and only that instrument) to the appropriate length on the recorder or in your DAW software.
But what if your mixer does not Direct Outs equipped? Many cheaper mixer, mixer, or use more designed for the stage is not. It is also common to many 16-Channel Mixer only Direct-outs on the first 8 channels. If your mixer provides no direct outs (or not enough of it), you can always have the main L / R outputs of the mixer, but there are only two of them. But the problem is that all channels get mixed together and in use at the outputs, which is usually not what you want. If your mixer has sub outs (or "Buses"), you could use this, but on a four-Bus Mixer, there are only about 4 of them. So what's a man do if he wants records of all Mixer channel to its own track? Fortunately, there is another alternative of the Insert Jack.
INSERT A connector is a TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve or 4.1? Stereo) Jack, that is normally used to connect a signal processor is restricted to a single mixer channel. An example would be a compressor or noise gate, that by the INSERT jack of a Mixer channel effects could only be connected to a single Vocal Mic. To use the INSERT jack in the way, you need a "Y" cable with a stereo jack plug at one end (connected to the insert jack) and two mono-TS (Tip-Sleeve or 4.1? mono) plug at the other end. One of the TS plug is with the entrance on connected to the signal processor and the other is connected to the output of the same device. So essentially, the Insert Jack creates a signal "loop" that both the signal for the channel sends to an external signal processor, and then she falls back into the mixer, all through a single connection (the INSERT jack). However, if You do not use an INSERT jack for the intended purpose (and often not), it has a handy second function as a direct out.
There are a few different ways with an INSERT jack as a Direct Out. First, you can use a standard-TS to TS patch cable. Plug the cable all the way into the INSERT jack. The only downside is that the signal from the recorder from the Insert jack is sent, but the signal is "broken" and is no longer sent to the mixer main outputs. This could for some photo shoots okay, but in other cases, you want to pass the signal through the main outputs as standard, for monitoring purposes or for connection to an amplifier and speakers in the event of a live concert.
The next option with a regular TS to TS cable is the cable into the "first Click "Insert the socket. This will tap the signal and send it straight to the recorder, while still allowing it passed on through the main mixer output. The only downside is that if you do not get the cable is plugged in to the right place (just the first click), you can end up with either no signal to your recorder or no signal to the main outputs (or both).
Thus, a better alternative than the "first click" or the "all-the-Art-in" method is to use a special cable or adapter that both the signal for the channel on the Insert Send jack is but still it goes on through the mixer outputs as normal. To do this, you can plug a stereo to mono jack adapter with a normal mono-TS to TS cable. Or you could buy a special use Direct Out Cable Adapter.
However, if you're like me, how do you keep your connections and cable runs as clean and simple as possible, in which case you do not like to connect with adapters or cables in cable. So the elegant alternative is a specialized INSERT jack / Direct Out cable to use for this purpose only. Assuming that you some very basic soldering skills have this cable is very easy to make, which I will now describe.
Start with a regular mono patch cable with connectors at both ends of TS. Remove Do one of the plug from the end with some wire cutters or tin snips. Now, solder a stereo jack plug to the end of the cable, shorting the tip and ring together and the shield connects to the sleeve than normal. This will effectively send a signal to the output of the Insert Jack, while at the same time the return pass to the mixer, which is the signal on to the main outputs.
Some audio snobs might scoff at such a technique, saying that was not used in an INSERT jack designed to be this way, and therefore should not be. However, as some argue that for recording audio purists, this method could be superior to, in fact, with a direct out, because the signal path should be the shortest, cleanest and most uncolored. The reason for this is that the signal is directly from the precursor to the recorder sent without anywhere else. It is not through the EQ or even the fader, which could worsen in the theory, color, or the signal.
Well, of course, like everything else, there are some advantages and disadvantages of this technique. We have already covered the pros, so now for the disadvantages. First, when using this technique, the only Control you have over the level of the signal sent to the recorder, is the trim or gain control on your mixer. Because the INSERT jack is pre-fader, the fader in relation the signal is useless to send the recorder. However, the fader is still the level of the channel in the main mix. Secondly, when using this technique, you are bypassing the EQ, so if you like to use some EQ for the preliminary design of the recorded track, you are out of luck. But in most cases, I can not use, if all the EQ-tracking. I made use of the parametric EQ in my DAW software for the design of the sound of my tracks after recording, so this is not really a problem for me. Finally, if you can use the insert jack as a Direct Out, you no longer use it as an insert. So if you wanted to patch a compressor in the channel to some peaks to tame, you must connect it differently (ie: Put on Compressor Recorder).
Finally, if you need to do some multitrack recording, but do not via a mixer with direct outs (or is equipped enough of them), makes the INSERT jack a handy substitute. Or when an audio purists, to the cleanest and shortest Signal path between the microphone and recorder, the INSERT jack will be the path.
About the Author
Jon Goad is a drummer, producer, and general music junkie. He's the owner and chief engineer of Silent Sky Studios and the drummer for the bands Immortal Soul and Soulfire.
When he's not having fun with music, Jon keeps the bills paid by working as a software developer for CUSI, a leading developer of software for the Utility industry. Jon lives in Northeast Arkansas with his wife Ashley and son Jack.
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